Coin-controlled apparatus.



Nujamsz. Patented sept. s, mol.

M. F. Pmce.

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

(Application filed Dac. 13, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE.

MILBERT FRANKLIN PRICE, OF IOWA CITY, IOWA.

COIN-CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N o. 681,732, dated September 3, 1901.

Application filed December 13, 1900. Serial No. 39,625. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom it 7mo/y concern:

Be it known that I, MILBERT FRANKLIN PRICE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Iowa City, in the county of Johnson and State of Iowa, have invented a new and Improved Coin-Controlled Apparatus, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a coin-controlled apparatus adapted especially for application to vending-machines, so that such machines may be operated by the insertion of a coin. I have here shown the invention applied to a collar-button-vending machine, which forms the subject-matter of my copending application for vending apparatus, Serial No. 39,626, filed December 13, 1900.

This specification is the specific description of one form of the invention, while the claims are definitions of the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure lis a partly-sectional side elevation showing the mechanism in the position of rest. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the position the parts assume when the coin is lodged lin the coin-chute. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position the parts assume when the push-rod is operated. Fig. 4. is a sectional plan on the line I 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the coin-actuated member of the machine, and Fig. 6 is a similar view of the m an ually-operated member of the machine.

o, represents a suitable casing, in which the 'operative parts are adapted to be placed.

b represents the merchandise chute or slide, which is of peculiar form, particularly described and claimed in my copending application above referred to. It is in connection with'such an apparatus that my invention is here shown, although it will be understood that the invention is adaptable to many other more or less similar devices.

'o' represents the coin-chute, which is open at its lower end. This chute is formed near its lower end with openings c and e2 in its opposite edges, and into the opening c' the lower end d of the lcoin-actuated lever or member slightly tapered, as indicated best by the dotted lines in Fig. l, and projects into the coin-chute o, so as to be engaged by the coin and to hold the coin lodged in the lower end of the chute, as shown in Fig. 2. When the coin drops into the chute and engages the end cl of the lever d, it throws the lever from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2. A set-screw d4 is carried on the front Wall of the chute c and acts to limit the move ment of the lever. The lever thus thrown is held in the position shown in Fig. 2 as long as the coin is engaged therewith, which operation will be brought out more fully hereinafter. The upper end of the lever d, according to the specific construction here shown, is bent laterally and carries a pin c, which Works in a perforation in the merchandise-chute b to hold and deliver the collar-buttons. When the lever d is in the position shown in Fig. l, the pin e is projected into the chute b,- but when the lever is in the position shown in Fig. 2 the pin e is moved out of the chute b. Pivoted to the rear edge of the coin-chute o is an arm f, the pivot being at the upper end thereof, and this arm projects downward below the chute c and is engaged by the push-rod g,

which projects outside of the casing a and is adapted to be manually actuated. A spring f is connected with the arm f to hold the same in the position shown in Fig. l. This arm f is provided with an inwardly-projected portion f2, fitting in a recess c2 in the chute c and arranged to be engaged by a coin as it drops into the chute, provided that the arm be in the position shown in Figs. l and 2. When the arm f is thrown out of the passage in the chute by the action of the push-rod c, the coin is released from between the surfaces bottom of the casing a. A pin h is pivoted on the arm ,f and projects forwardly into the merchandise-chute b at a point below the pin e. its normal position by the force of the spring f', the pin h has its Aend projected into the of parts d and f2 and allowed to fall into the/ When the arm f is moved forwardly into roo merchandise-chute; but when the arm f is manually moved back, as in Fig. 3, the pin h is withdrawn from the merchandise-chute.

In the operation of the coin-controlled apparatus when the coin is inserted in the chute c it falls through the chute and strikes between the parts d' and f2. The spring f is so strong that the force of gravity of the coin will not be sufiicient to move the arm f; but the spring d3 is sufficiently weak to permit the force of gravity of the coin to throw the lever d from its normal position (sec Fig. l) to its inactive position. (See Fig. 2.) The pin e is thereupon withdrawn from the merchandise-chute. The operator now pushes Athe rod g, and the armf is forced rearward against the tension of the springf, (see Fig. 3,-) thus widening the space between the parts d and f2, and the coin is then dropped from the chute. The spring d3 will now be permitted to assert itself and return the lever d to its normal position, in which the pin e is projected into the merchandise-chute, and then when the operator releases the rod g the arm freturns to its normal position. It will therefore be seen that the pins e and h are moved alternately, entirely independently of each other, into and out of the merchandisechute in order to deliver an article of merchandise. When the machine is at rest, both pins are in the chute; but when the machine is working to deliver a button only one pin is in the chute. When the pin eis moved into the chute c, it acts to support the column of buttons, and when the pin is withdrawn the column of buttons falls upon the pin h, which liesin lthe chute when the pin c is withdrawn. 1,vVhen the pin e returns to the chute, it moves in between the lowermost button and the one next above it and then acts to sust-ain all of the buttons but the lowermost one. When the pin h moves out of the chute, the lowermost button is deprived of its support and falls out of the chute, and then the pin h returns in to the chute. These actions complete the cycle of operations of the pins, and the parts are then ready for a second operation. With respect to the coin-levers CZ and f, it will be seen that one of these members is actuated by the gravity of the coin and that the other of these members is actuated by manual force. According to the principle of my invention it is necessary to actuate both of these levers before the operation of the coin mechanism is complete. It will be apparent that it is immaterial with what mechanismthe parts d andfare connected. It is only essential that they be connected with some vending or other mechanism which may be operated by the action of the levers.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A coin-controlled apparatus, comprising a coin-chute, two coin members having parts normally projected therein, said coin members being adapted to be connected with the devices with which the coin-controlled apparatus is used, means acting with one of said coin members to hold the same capable of yielding to the weight of the coin, and means acting with the other of said coin members to facilitate the manual operation thereof.

2. A coin-controlled apparatus, having a coin-chute, two coin members with parts normally projected into the chute, such coin members being adapted to be connected with the device with which the coin-controlled apparatus is used, one of the coin members being operated by the weight of the coin, and a push device in connection with the other coin member to permit the manual operation thereof.

3. A coin-controlled apparatus, comprising a coin-chute with openings in opposite edges thereof, a spring-pressed coin-lever with a part projected into one of said openings and adapted to be engaged by the coin to operate the coin member by the gravity of the coin, a second spring-pressed coin member with a part projected into the other opening in the other chute, said part being adapted to be engaged by the coin to hold it in engagement with the first coin member, and a push device in connection with the second coin member to permit the manual operation thereof, the coin members being adapted to have connection with the device in connection with which the coin-controlled apparatus is used.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MILBERT FRANKLIN PRICE.

Vitnesses:

I-IATTIE M. SHoALs, FRED H. SHoALs.

IOO 

